Women more likely to face housing insecurity in pandemic-led recession
The pandemic-led recession is disproportionately hurting women in the workforce and is more likely to threaten their housing security. A new Zillow analysis finds women are more likely than men to be unemployed, renters and caregivers during the coronavirus pandemic, thereby increasing their risk of becoming severely cost-burdened by housing. The pandemic has been a startling setback for women who had been narrowing the gender gap in recent years. At the beginning of the year, more women than ever before were in the workforce, incomes were rising along with the home values of women-headed households. The COVID-19 pandemic has not only interrupted this period of growth,...
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Student Loan Debt Widens Racial Wealth Gap
NNPA NEWSWIRE — With the freeze placed on student loan repayments set to end Dec. 31, Biden has gotten behind the Democrat-led House’s HEROES Act, which calls on the federal government to pay off up to $10,000 in private, nonfederal student loans for economically distressed borrowers. “People having to make choices between paying their student loan and paying the rent … debt relief should be done immediately,” Biden stated during a news conference on Monday, November 16. By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent President-elect Joe Biden wants to immediately erase student loan debt, a move that could prove more meaningful for African American...
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The Upside of Downsizing Your Holiday Season
By Elizabeth Lampkin The year two thousand and twenty has been an ongoing saga of life-altering events. Many of the adorned, traditional celebrations, trips, and gatherings were canceled, rescheduled, or modified for the safety of humankind. As the holiday season approaches, COVID-19 restrictions have once again forced us to make drastic changes to holiday family gatherings, but there is an upside to downsizing these affairs. Saving Money It is a known fact that many Americans go into debt during the holiday season to create crowd-pleasing, Hallmark celebrations. While there is nothing wrong with putting your best foot forward, going into debt can be avoided this year...
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Worried about the COVID learning slide? 4 steps parents can take
(BPT) – School is so unpredictable this year, it’s hard not to worry about the what ifs. What if my child falls behind due to distance learning? What if my kids have trouble getting back to in-person learning? It’s an anxious time for many parents. In fact, a recent Understood/YouGov survey of 2,000 parents of 5- to 17-year-olds, shows that 71 percent are worried that their children will face challenges this year. For parents of kids who are diagnosed with or show signs of learning and thinking differences, that number is 79 percent. And nearly half (48 percent) of all parents are worried about their child...
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New Voices Foundation and JPMorgan Chase launches Banking Bootcamp for Black women entrepreneurs
by Sherri Kolade Are you a Black female entrepreneur who needs some assistance upping your coin? Then the New Voices Foundation and JPMorgan Chase’s Advancing Black Pathways might be a great tool for you and your entrepreneurial dreams, according to an article from Essence. The two entities partnered on a new business banking educational program for Black women entrepreneurs that will assist them in creating strong business banking relationships and grow their access to critical capital, a needed element to business development and achievements, the magazine article added. The Banking Bootcamp, which runs from Dec. 4 -18, will help where there are gaps by offering business banking and...
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Housing Discrimination: How Does it Affect You?
By Anthony O. Kellum Although the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (prohibiting the discrimination of the sale, rent and financing of housing based on gender, national origin, race and religion) sought to eradicate housing inequality and segregation, which was the norm of the 20th Century and in many ways still is today. Although the act of 1968 was designed to erase discrimination, the actions of the federal government and numerous financial institutions played a “critical role” in the creation and endurance of racist housing policies (Forbes Article, A Look At Housing Inequality In The U.S., Dima Williams.) As recently as August 2020 many of you may have...
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Nielsen’s 10th-Year African American Consumer Report Explores The Power Of The Black Community From Moment To Movement
For 10 years, Nielsen has been dedicated to telling the story of the power of Black consumers and their diversity, long before the call for social justice sounded. According to "The Power of the Black Community – From Moment to Movement," the 10th annual report in Nielsen's Diverse Intelligence Series on African American consumers, Black influence on the economy and pop culture continues to drive not only significant moments in history, but drive change across industries and digital platforms. From video streaming, radio listenership and podcasting to buying Black and staying connected to social movements through social media, African Americans are leading the conversation with an unprecedented impact...
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Property is Power: Should You Refinance or Sell?
By Anthony O. Kellum The ongoing question…Should I refinance or sell? Everywhere you look you see, advertisements suggesting: “Lock in the rate!” “Refinance now and save!” Before you know it, you are asking yourself “Should I refinance?” That is a great question and we will explore what the hype is all about as it relates to refinancing. The answer usually comes down to two basic facts. Budget: Avoid accumulating debt as a result of a loan Lifestyle: Downsize living space or access your home equity Whether you ought to refinance or sell comes down to answering a few questions and being honest about your future plans....
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Graham Media Group Hires Caroline Chambers As Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion
Graham Media Group today announced that Caroline Chambers will join the company as its first Senior Director, Diversity & Inclusion effective November 2. Most recently, Chambers was the Vice President, National Director of Diversity Initiatives for Comerica Bank. In that role, she was responsible for internal and external diversity program management including market segment business development teams, employee resource network groups, diversity training, image consulting and philanthropic outreach to diverse communities. Prior to that, Chambers also served as Comerica Bank’s Vice President, National Director of Corporate Contributions and Charitable Foundation President. Before her work at Comerica, Chambers worked in corporate public affairs, financial services sales, and...
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#MOBEMondays Addresses the Transformative State of Black Newspapers and Advertising
On October 26, 2020, Kevin McFall, 2020 Men of Excellence honoree, Inner-City Computer Stars Foundation, and Red Clay Digital, hosts #MOBEMondays. They have assembled a panel of newspaper, archive and advertising thought leaders for an engaging conversation about the transformative state of Black newspapers and advertising in an era of uncertainty. While many count out the Black News industry, the panel will delve into the historic, current, and future relevancy of this industry and the vitality to communities of Black, Indigenous, and People Of Color. Our panel of experts includes Hiram Jackson, Real Times Media; Angela Ford, Obsidian Collection Archives, and Melvin Wilson, Solve Innovation Group....
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